# US 2019/0224669 A1 · Micro-vials > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0224669 A1 - Document ID: US20190224669A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/261,481 - Filed: 2019-01-29 - Published: 2019-07-25 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-24 - Assignees: Bioptic, Inc. - Applicants: Bioptic, Inc. - Inventors: Shou-Kuan TSAI; Varouj D. AMIRKHANIAN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190224669A1 ## CPC - B01L 3/5082: {Test tubes per se} - B01L 3/50855: {using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells} - B01L 3/502715: {characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces} - B01L 2200/025: Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other - B01L 2200/027: for microfluidic devices - B01L 2200/0673: Handling of plugs of fluid surrounded by immiscible fluid - B01L 2200/142: Preventing evaporation - B01L 2300/0832: cylindrical, tube shaped - B01L 2300/0838: Capillaries - B01L 2300/0851: Bottom walls - G01N 30/18: using a septum or microsyringe - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A simple, low cost, efficient and stable micro-vial configuration for handling micro-volume of sample fluids. The interior wall geometry of the inventive vial is designed to include several axial sections of various interior diameters to provide a range of functionalities to address various design considerations. The interior wall defined in the vial has a cylindrical sample section, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a tapered or conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section, arranged in sequence in that order along the center axis of the vial. The sample section is designed to hold a small volume of a sample fluid, and to receive the tip end of a capillary tube. The alignment section has a larger diameter than the sample section, designed to receive a cylindrical support that coaxially supports the relatively fragile capillary tube. The tip of the capillary tube dips into the micro-volume of sample fluid held in the sample section. The conical section functions to guide the capillary tube and the support tube into the alignment section and the tip of the capillary tube into the sample section. The body section has the largest diameter, for holding additional fluid if desired. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 A vial for holding a micro-volume of fluid, comprising: a body defining an interior wall, wherein the body is a unitary structure, comprising a cylindrical sample section having a bottom, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section having an opening, arranged in sequence in that order along a center axis of the body, wherein the wider cylindrical alignment section is immediate adjoining to the cylindrical sample section along the center axis of the body, wherein the cylindrical sample section is sized to receive a tip of a capillary tube and to hold a micro-volume of fluid in the order of less than 5 micro-liters, and wherein the exit end of the wider cylindrical alignment section immediate adjoins the opening end of the cylindrical sample section without any restraint at the opening end of the cylindrical sample section to allow insertion of the tip of the capillary tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vial as in claim 2, wherein the interior wall of the body transitions from the cylindrical sample section to the wider cylindrical alignment section, wherein interior diameter of the cylindrical sample section transitions to an immediate larger interior diameter of the cylindrical alignment section without a constriction in diameter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vial as in claim 3, wherein the micro-volume is in the order of 1 to 2 micro liters. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vial as in claim 4, wherein the cylindrical sample section has an internal diameter of about 0.5 mm, receiving the tip of the capillary tube having an outside diameter of similar size. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vial as in claim 5, wherein the cylindrical alignment section has a larger diameter than the cylindrical sample section, sized to receive a cylindrical support for the capillary tube to extend to the cylindrical sample section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vial as in claim 6, wherein the conical guide section provides a tapered wall surface to guide the capillary tube and the support tube into the cylindrical alignment section and the tip of the capillary tube into the cylindrical sample section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) A strip of vials each having a structure as in claim 2 for holding micro-volumes of fluid, comprising a plurality of N (N>0) vials in which adjacent vials are connected by a tab. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The strip of vials as in claim 7, wherein N is equal to 8 or 12. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The strip of vials as in claim 8, wherein the body of each vial and connecting tab are injection molded plastic. ### Claim 11 A method of manufacturing a vial for holding a micro-volume of fluid, comprising: injection molding a body defining an interior wall, wherein the body is a unitary structure, comprising a cylindrical sample section having a bottom, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section having an opening, arranged in sequence in that order along a center axis of the body, wherein the wider cylindrical alignment section is immediate adjoining to the cylindrical sample section along the center axis of the body, wherein the cylindrical sample section is sized to receive a tip of a capillary tube and to hold a micro-volume of fluid in the order of less than 5 micro-liters, and wherein the exit end of the wider cylindrical alignment section immediate adjoins the opening end of the cylindrical sample section without any restraint at the opening end of the cylindrical sample section to allow insertion of the tip of the capillary tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as in claim 11, wherein the interior wall of the body transitions from the cylindrical sample section to the wider cylindrical alignment section, wherein interior diameter of the cylindrical sample section transitions to an immediate larger interior diameter of the cylindrical alignment section without a constriction in diameter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method as in claim 12, wherein the micro-volume is in the order of 1 to 2 micro liters. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as in claim 13, wherein the cylindrical sample section has an internal diameter of about 0.5 mm, receiving the tip of the capillary tube having an outside diameter of similar size. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as in claim 14, wherein the cylindrical alignment section has a larger diameter than the cylindrical sample section, sized to receive a cylindrical support for the capillary tube to extend to the cylindrical sample section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 2) A method of manufacturing a strip of vials each having a structure as in claim 2 for holding micro-volumes of fluid, comprising a plurality of N (N>0) vials in which adjacent vials are connected by a tab. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as in claim 16, wherein N is equal to 8 or 12. ### Claim 18 A bioanalytical process, comprising access to a mico-volume of fluid, wherein said access comprises: providing a vial comprising a body defining an interior wall, wherein the body is a unitary structure, comprising a cylindrical sample section having a bottom, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section having an opening, arranged in sequence in that order along a center axis of the body, wherein the wider cylindrical alignment section is immediate adjoining to the cylindrical sample section along the center axis of the body, wherein the cylindrical sample section is sized to receive a tip of a capillary tube and to hold a micro-volume of fluid in the order of less than 5 micro-liters, and wherein the exit end of the wider cylindrical alignment section immediate adjoins the opening end of the cylindrical sample section without any restraint at the opening end of the cylindrical sample section to allow insertion of the tip of the capillary tube; inserting a capillary tube coaxially supported in a wider cylindrical support tube, with the support tube and the capillary tube inserted into the cylindrical alignment section, and with a distal tip of the capillary tube extending into the cylindrical sample section, wherein the support tube does not extend into the cylindrical sample section. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The process as in claim 18, wherein the cylindrical alignment section has a larger diameter than the cylindrical sample section, sized to receive the cylindrical support tube with the tip of the capillary tube extending into the cylindrical sample section. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The process as in claim 19, wherein the conical guide section provides a tapered wall surface to guide the tip of the capillary tube and the cylindrical support tube into the cylindrical alignment section and the tip of the capillary tube into the cylindrical sample section.